Abstract:
The study investigated the grading of ladies‟ patterns by small scale garment
producers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. This study employed mixed methods
design, specifically the triangulation design. The target population was all the 515
professional dressmakers and tailors (garment producers) in the Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis. However, 100 active members formed the accessible population. Twenty
(20) participants who were garment producers were purposively sampled for the
study. Interview schedule, observation guide, and test samples were used to gather
data for the study. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics
such as means and standard deviations, and frequencies and percentages, while the
qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that
garment producers did not patronize commercial patterns but produced their own,
mainly from freehand cutting method. Garment producers were able to grade patterns
for larger sizes than smaller sizes. Products from patterns produced fitted well with
shoulder than all other body parts. Dart was poorly fitted from produced patterns.
Major challenges of pattern grading were grading for ladies with same hip and waist
measurements, grading for ladies with big bust and small hip, grading for small waist
with large hip, grading for ladies of hollow chest and exchange of clients‟
measurements. It was recommended that the Government of Ghana provide
standardized measurement through the investment in the scanners to create a database
of measurements for Ghanaians. The Ghana National Association of Dressmakers and
Tailors are entreated to pay more attention on pattern grading to make it key
requirement for end of apprentice certification.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Home Economics,
Faculty of Home Economics Education, submitted to the School
of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Clothing and Textiles)
in the University of Education, Winneba
APRIL, 2020